Roy Keane tipped for ‘surprising’ return to management with Scottish club

The former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United captain is being backed to rescue a team in trouble.

The Corkman has been out of management since 2019, and has spent much of that time as a popular pundit on Sky Sports and as a weekly guest on Gary Neville's Stick To Football podcast.

Hibernian are currently at the bottom of the SPFL table, amassing just five points in eight league games under the leadership of former player David Gray.

Many fans are calling for Gray's sacking and, according to The Irish Sun, the prospects of the club could fall into the hands of a man who took Sunderland from the bottom three of the Championship table at the start of the 2006-07 season to Premier League promotion just eight months later.

Could the 53-year-old produce another 'Mackem miracle' in Edinburgh? Keane reportedly showed interest in taking over at Hibs back in 2022, and has had approaches for various other vacancies in recent years including at Newcastle United and the recent Republic of Ireland job.

As well being the top boss at both Sunderland and Ipswich, Keane has worked in assistant roles alongside both Martin O'Neill and Paul Lambert, so has significant coaching and management experience that could make him a good match for the Hibs job.

Moreover, his ruthless personality and popularity within the media could provide the injection of new energy and positivity that both the team and fans seem to be crying out for.

A change in management could come as soon as Sunday, when Gray's side play host to local rivals Hearts in the Edinburgh derby.

The other leading candidates to succeed Gray if the ex-Manchester United defender fails to turn things around are St Mirren's Stephen Robinson - though he appears close to signing an extension with the club - and Celtic legend Scott Brown who is currently managing Ayr United.

If the Keane speculation becomes reality, it will mark the Irishman's surprise return to the Scottish Premiership eighteen years after he wore the green and white of Celtic for six months before announcing his retirement from professional football based on medical advice.